Press Release

CINCINNATI, Aug. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today named Gil Phipps, currently vice president of Our Brands, to vice president of branding, marketing and Our Brands, effective August 15.

Mr. Phipps joined the company in 2012 and led the transformation of Our Brands by evolving existing brands and introducing new brands that resonate with customers. Through elevating recipes and product formulations, inserting personality into packaging and more, Mr. Phipps has increased customer loyalty and driven record Our Brands sales growth.

"We are fundamentally changing how we market to and engage with our customers, and Gil is the perfect talent—a personality full of creativity, imagination and fun who loves food and new meal experiences—to lead the way," said Stuart Aitken, Kroger's group vice president and CEO of 84.51°. "Kroger's new marketing approach is more engaging, cross-functional, data-driven, and customer-led in support of Restock Kroger. As we redefine the customer experience, we are using compelling marketing communications to create uplifting connections with our shoppers that earn even more of their sales, trust and loyalty."

With Mr. Phipps' leadership and influence, the Our Brands business has substantially increased. If Our Brands were a unique consumer packaged goods company on the Fortune 500 list, it would rank number 138. Mr. Phipps was instrumental in introducing Simple Truth®, now the largest natural and organic brand in America with more than $2 billion in annual sales.

"The retail industry is dynamic, exciting and changing, and I'm thrilled to take on this role at this very moment to transform the way Kroger connects with our customers to elevate our brand across America," said Mr. Phipps. "We will continue to build on how we use data points powered by 84.51° to create marketing communications and experiences that are even more relevant, meaningful and personalized."

Mr. Phipps started his grocery career in 1987 as a store director for Fresh Plus Grocery in Austin, Texas. Following the role, he became brand manager for Guiltless Gourmet before moving into brand marketing positions at both Michael Angelo's Gourmet Foods and Hormel Foods. In 2001, Gil joined H-E-B as a brand manager before earning a series of promotions that placed him as the leader of H-E-B's store brands program.

In 2015, Supermarket News recognized Mr. Phipps as one of the "Top Disruptors" in the industry.

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are nearly half a million associates who serve over nine million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.